The Little Gingerbread House That Couldn't...

Like my creative title? It was either this clever one or "Big Huge Disasterous Mommy Fail"...you pick. So, I went grocery store shopping today. It was a mad house, but my kids were being awesome and I mean seriously awesome, all 3 of them, when does that ever happen? I hardly knew what to do, I was fighting off the impulse to yell at other people's children just because I wasn't yelling at my own (okay just kidding there, but seriously it was wonderful, I wish I could have bottled it up and saved it for another day!). Anyhow, we walk in the store and the VERY first thing we see are these beautiful Gingerbread house kits. The picture on the front was amazing and for this brief stint of time I forgot the fact that I hate Gingerbread houses. I don't really hate the houses themselves, at least the finished ones, I hate the process. It is sticky and gooey and and just a pain really. So, in my lovely Christmas daze I lost all of my common sense and I bought one of these beautiful kits. The daze continued throughout the shopping trip, mostly because I felt on cloud nine that I hadn't once had to give any of my children "the look" or threaten eternal punishment on them. We got home and decided to pull out this beautiful kit and make what would for sure be the BEST gingerbread house anyone has ever seen. Bad idea....really....bad....idea! Yeah it was a huge Mommy failure. Alyna tried with all her mite to help me while Noah stole pieces of candy to eat and even took a bite out of the top of the cute little Christmas tree. And then there was Lucas...screaming, grabbing for frosting, screaming, getting down, screaming, getting up, did I mention the screaming? Yeah it was not my best moment and in a moment of pure frustration I walked away. Leaving my children to devour the rest of the candy and icing (who eats that stuff, gross!). So, the moral of the story= NEVER again. If one of you wonderful real super moms out there would like to someday adopt my children to make a beautiful gingerbread house, please contact me. But, I will never again attempt it. So yeah, I think I get an "F" on this little project, or maybe an "E for Effort" (WAY too much effort!).

Christmas Decor

Here are a few photos of our tree, fireplace, and other areas around the house. The first photo is of Alyna's favorite Christmas decor piece. My mom gave me this cute count down thing and Lyna has loved it! It is the very first thing she does every morning!

Christmas Stockings

Here are some photos of the stockings I made this year. I have wanted to make matching stockings for us in previous years, but couldn't ever decide what to do. I needed something relatively easy and also something easy to replicate for any future children. So, I found this idea on the internet and loved it. For Annie (our dog) and the adults I just improvised, but for the children there will be one decoration added every year (something they really like this year). For example, Alyna has been really into ballet this year and Noah is obsessed with the number 4 (he says its his favorite number and he even sings his own rendition of the ABC song with the number 4 taking the place of the letter G). Since my two older children have already had a few Christmases I went ahead and added things for them from previous years as well. Anyway, here they are!

Some photos of the kids...

Here are some photos of the kids in their Christmas clothes they wore to Church today!

We are here!

Well, we made it to Oklahoma. It was a whirlwind move followed immediately by Thanksgiving and now we are to Christmas. It has been crazy! We are enjoying the sunshine and have met and reunited with many friends. Our ward is wonderful and it is so nice going to Church at a building that sits right beside the Temple. Just today, as we were walking to nursery, Noah insisted on stopping to look at the Temple before we moved on, what a wonderful blessing! Michael has been very busy with work. He has been working his normal 8 hour day, but also going in on some evenings and Saturdays for training. He is liking his job though and is learning a lot. I have mostly been working on getting the house organized and working on getting Christmas ready! I am really excited for Christmas this year. We went and got a real tree and the kids had a blast decorating it. I haven't taken many photos since we have been here, but I am starting to get back into the swing of things. Anyway, I will be posting some photo posts soon!

A Note to all...

To my Ohio friends and family:

I can't express enough how awesome this brief time in Ohio has been. We have had so much fun getting to know all of you and have made so many wonderful friends. We have loved being near family and always having something to do. Our ward has been amazing, they welcomed us with loving arms and we think the world of all of those sweet members. We love you all and wish you the best. We will be back to visit. Thanks again for being awesome.

To my Oklahoma friends and family:

See you in a couple of weeks ;-)

Some Recent Portraits...

of the kids I have taken, enjoy!

Luke's New Trick

Apple Picking

We were able to go apple picking as a family recently. Let me tell you, I am now convinced Ohio has the best apples ever. They are so good, so good that we have 50!! lbs. in our fridge. Here are a few photos...

Ward Labor Day Cookout

Here are a few photos of the recent ward Labor Day cookout that we had. It was so awesome, the food was great, the weather was great, we could not have asked for more. I mostly post these though so you can see just how well kids adapt, pretty good movement for a girl with a broken leg eh?




This is my niece Juliet, look at those beautiful baby blues!

Football Season is Upon Us!

The day before opening day of football season for both of our favorite teams, I realized that Alyna had no football gear that would fit her and that the boys only had Ohio State. So, knowing that it would not do, I burned the midnight fuel that night and whipped up some fan gear. I made the boys' OU shirts and both of Alyna's outfits. It was actually so fun! Here are some photos of my kiddos ready for the games (and yes we switched fan gear halfway through the day haha).